Courtney says he supports Iran nuclear deal

Washington – Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, on Thursday became the second member of the Connecticut delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives to voice his support for the Iran nuclear pact.

“After thorough review and consideration, I believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option for our nation and the international community to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapons capability, and I will support the agreement when it comes up for a vote,” Courtney said in a statement.

Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., have also announced support for the deal, formally as the “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”

The agreement, which Congress will vote on in September, requires Iran to halt its nuclear program in return for a removal of economic sanctions that have hurt its ability to sell oil. The United States, the other four permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Germany and Iran negotiated the pact.

“In taking this position, I closely reviewed the details of the agreement and the classified annex, discussed specific elements with administration officials and outside experts, heard testimony at the House Armed Services Committee and met with both supporters and critics of the agreement,” Courtney said.

“Most importantly, however, I heard directly from those I represent in numerous emails and calls to my office – many of whom support the agreement as the best option for preventing a nuclear-armed Iran and reducing the prospect of military conflict,” he said.

However, most Republicans and Israeli leaders have condemned the agreement..

They say Iran will continue to pursue its nuclear ambitions and use the money the end of sanctions would bring to strengthen its conventional arsenal and support terrorist groups.

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Ana is a longtime Washington correspondent who has won numerous awards, including from The Associated Press and Gannett, has written for more than a dozen newspapers, including USAToday; The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; the Shreveport (La.) Times; and the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser. She’s also been a regular contributor to other publications, including the Miami Herald and Advertising Age. Some of the stories Ana has broken focused on the strategies of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former Sen. Trent Lott’s fall from power and questionable Hurricane Katrina contracts. A regular contributor to WNPR, Connecticut Public Radio, a partner of The Mirror, Ana is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism. E-mail her at aradelat@ctmirror.org.

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